Towards Flexible Integration of 5G and IIoT Technologies in Industry 4.0: A Practical Use Case

Abstract

The Industry 4.0 revolution envisions fully interconnected scenarios in the manufacturing industry to improve the efficiency, quality, and performance of the manufacturing processes. In parallel, the consolidation of 5G technology is providing substantial advances in the world of communication and information technologies. Furthermore, 5G also presents itself as a key enabler to fulfill Industry 4.0 requirements. In this article, the authors first propose a 5G-enabled architecture for Industry 4.0. Smart Networks for Industry (SN4I) is introduced, an experimental facility based on two 5G key-enabling technologies—Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN)—which connects the University of the Basque Country’s Aeronautics Advanced Manufacturing Center and Faculty of Engineering in Bilbao. Then, the authors present the deployment of a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) with strong access control mechanisms into such architecture, enabling secure and flexible Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications. Additionally, the authors demonstrate the implementation of a use case consisting in the monitoring of a broaching process that makes use of machine tools located in the manufacturing center, and of services from the proposed architecture. The authors finally highlight the benefits achieved regarding flexibility, efficiency, and security within the presented scenario and to the manufacturing industry overall.

Exploring Regional Advanced Manufacturing and Its Driving Factors: A Case Study of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area

“…[ 43 ] found that the modular design of suppliers affects the flexibility and agility of the supply chain. With the emergence of Industry 4.0 [ 44 ], 5G technology [ 45 ], the industrial internet of things [ 46 ], and new generations of other information technologies, the organizational change strategy based on intelligent empowerment represents the latest mode of advanced manufacturing development, such as the redistribution business [ 47 ], ecological marketing manufacturing [ 48 ], data-driven manufacturing [ 49 ], and customer service manufacturing [ 50 ] modes.…”

System analysis of digital economy virtualization processes

“…The study of the theoretical and methodological problem of system analysis of virtualization processes in the digital economy is due to the importance of determining the structure of virtualization as a set of interconnected industries, consumption, markets, and finance on the Internet. Production virtualization processes considered by the authors on a systematic basis develop the ideas about the integration of 5G and IIoT technologies in Industry 4.0, substantiated by Sasiain et al [41]. System analysis of virtualization processes is based on the widespread use of information technology, reflecting the prospects for changes in the production landscape of firms.…”

“…Cloud services, mobile applications, and voice-controlled home devices are examples of new data generation interfaces that provide intelligent, personalized services. The catalyst for these processes is the integration of 5G communication technologies and the Internet of Things into Industry 4.0 [41], and cognitive management technologies allow making error-free decisions and saving natural and human resources [14]. Fog computing associated with processing data from IoT sensors also allow an intelligent approach to resource allocation and saving strategies [46]; the same problem is solved by cloud computing with centralized processing of production data [48].…”

Achieving Low Latency Communications in Smart Industrial Networks with Programmable Data Planes

“…The testbed used to validate the proposed INC system uses real equipment and a hardware-based P4 target that implements the aforementioned data plane architecture. The validation is carried out on top of Smart Networks for Industry (SN4I) [ 29 ], a Network Function Virtualization- (NFV) and Software Defined Networking (SDN)-enabled experimental facility deployed across the Faculty of Engineering in Bilbao (EIB) and the Aeronautics Advanced Manufacturing Center (CFAA). The CFAA was launched by the University of the Basque Country along with a wide range of companies involved in manufacturing and Industry 4.0, with the aim of raising industrial competitiveness of the region through the use of novel machinery and manufacturing techniques.…”